Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
#1
...want to stay full members of the EU and commit to more integration.
A Channel 4 News survey of Conservative member opinion finds that:
The next Conservative Manifesto should:
...Have a commitment to an in/out referendum to be held in the next Parliament: 42 per cent
...Commit to a renegotiation of Britain's terms of membership with no explicit referendum promise: 17 per cent
...Commit to a renegotiation of Britain's terms of membership to be followed by an in/out referendum: 41 per cent
If there was an in/out referendum members would vote:
...In: 23 per cent
...Out: 70 per cent
Asked what their preferred option would be:
...The UK should remain full members of the EU and participate in further EU integration: only 4 per cent
...The UK should remain full members of the EU but reject future integration: 8 per cent
...The UK should secure substantial renegotiation of its existing relationship with the EU but remain full members: 34 per cent
...The UK should leave the EU altogether and negotiate a separate trade agreement: 54 per cent
Asked in they think Britain will still be in the EU in 10 years time:
...Yes, Britain will still be in the EU and the EU won't be much changed: 26 per cent
...Yes, Britain will still be in the EU but the EU will be significantly reformed: 38 per cent
...No, Britain will be outside of the EU: 36 per cent
Well none of that really surprises me. Anti EU feelings have been hardening steadily in the Party ever since Maastricht as is shown in every survey of opinion. Any would-be candidate is guaranteed these days not to be selected if he claims pro-EU sympathies and no-one can be elected leader either by doing so.
The current Eurozone mess has vindicated those who opposed Maastricht in the Party and will further push opinion towards exit.
A Conservative majority government will need to offer a renegotiation of our membership to be confirmed by referendum. I am increasingly convinced that within 10 years will will not be 'full' members of the EU which will be a very different beast then.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#2
you may be missing a trick here barry, there are party members leaving in droves and signing up to ukip because they see the current leadership showing no desire to hold a referendum.
party workers do all the doorstepping and envelope stuffing so they deserve an m.p that reflects their views.
the current intake as you point out is broadly anti-eu but they are not listened to by the elite.
you will say about there being a coalition government but it sometimes seems that the minority party hold sway.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
#3
Howard - no trick being missed and you are exaggerating the position, you are also mixing up the needs of coalition and what is wanted by the Party leadership. Time will tell.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#4
this coalition stuff as a reason for inaction on so many things is wearing a bit thin now barry.
it is widely reported that cleggy and chums will pull out within the next 12 months so that they can re-establish their identity before the next election.
the government will run until may 2015, time to show the party faithful and the back bench m.p's that the leadership still adheres to core beliefs.
Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,948
#5
howard;
For cleggy, its all to late, but they could scupper a lot of the tories plans
unlless cameron has a trick up his sleeve he keeps on bleating on about staying in the E.U.
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
Guest 745- Registered: 27 Mar 2012
- Posts: 3,370
#6
It's a shame them at the top will totally ignore the wishes of the party members.
Cameron's just got to go.